Students throughout West Hartford Public Schools collected socks for the homeless and also wore crazy socks Tuesday to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day.

By Ronni Newton

Rosie and FInn Daly wear crazy socks for World Down Syndrome Day, Tuesday, March 21. Photo credit: Brooke Daly

March 21 is World Down Syndrome Day, and resident Brooke Daly has been helping raise awareness by bringing the “Lots of Socks” campaign to West Hartford Public Schools.

Lots of Socks was an enormous success this year.

Daly, whose 4-year-old son Finn has Down syndrome, started the initiative a few years ago at Duffy Elementary School, where her daughter Rosie is a student. After Finn was born, Daly decided her new career would become promoting awareness, acceptance, and inclusion for children with Down syndrome.

Last year there were a total of nine schools throughout West Hartford celebrating World Down Syndrome Day.

This year, Daly said that every school in the district participated in Lots of Socks by encouraging students to wear crazy socks, and many also held a sock drive for the homeless. Director of Pupil Services Gretchen Nelson was very helpful in the planning and in encouraging participation throughout the district, Daly said.

“I started this project a couple years ago with one school, Duffy Elementary, to help raise awareness and acceptance for children with Down syndrome,” said Daly. “I can’t believe how much it has grown and I’m so grateful for all the support from the town and all the schools!”

Not only did all West Hartford public schools participate, but Lots of Socks has now spread to Vernon, Avon, Granby, and Stratford, Daly said. Some local doctors offices and some of the departments at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center also participated this year.

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World Down Syndrome Day is celebrated through “Lots of Socks” at Duffy Elementary School Tuesday. Photo credit: Brooke Daly

World Down Syndrome Day is celebrated through “Lots of Socks” at Duffy Elementary School Tuesday. Photo credit: Brooke Daly

Socks decorated by West Hartford Public Schools students are on display in the Pupil Services Department. Photo credit: Ronni Newton